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October 23, 2007
By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- The Red Sox have been installed as 2-to-1 favorites to win the World Series by various establishments in Las Vegas.
That's not really a surprise in most quarters. Boston finished tied with Cleveland for the best record (96-66) in the majors this season and features one of the game's all-time great postseason starting pitchers in Josh Beckett, who can start at least twice in the best-of-seven Series against the Colorado Rockies.
Well, at least not too many are surprised by that oddsmaking designation.
But Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon wasn't buying it.
''How are we the favorites?'' asked Papelbon Tuesday morning, holding court in front of his locker in Boston's clubhouse prior to the team's workout.
''They've won 25 in a row or whatever. The playoffs are all about momentum, so how are we the favorites?'' he continued with a twinkle in his eye.
Papelbon was exaggerating the Rockies' recent string of success, but not by much. Colorado swept its first two rounds of the postseason, going 7-0 against Philadelphia and Arizona. The Rockies have won 21 of their last 22 games overall.
Colorado will have gone eight days between games, but Papelbon dismissed that as a factor.
''The layoff doesn't matter,'' he said.
He was pressed about his contention that the Rockies should be favored.
''Have you been listening to the words coming out of my mouth?'' asked Papelbon good-naturedly. ''They should be the favorites. Or have you ever heard about an even point spread? Just because Vegas thinks (the Sox should be favored) doesn't mean the players in the clubhouse think so.''
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 1:03 PM | Permalink
